Ice making



Feb. 20, 1962 c. G. ALT 3,021,686

ICE MAKING Filed June 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 |s FIG. I

FIG. 2

\ FIG. 5 39 IS A 5 l9 s 26/! Q9- "'7 M 66 52 H1 34 36 n 42 INVENTOR.

31 3 CARL 0. ALT

BYWMJM ATTORNEY.

C. G. ALT

ICE MAKING Feb. 20, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 20, 1960 ATTORNEY.

LUV.

3,021,686 ICE MAKING Carl G. Ali, Syracuse, N.Y., assignor to Carrier Cor= partition, Syracuse, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 20, 1960, Ser. No. 37,327 Claims. (Cl. 62-132) This invention relates to ice forming and more particularly to a device for forming small pieces of ice for use in restaurants, bars, hotels or similar places in which a large quantity of small pieces of ice is consumed within a short period of time.

One device for providing a relatively constant supply of pieces of ice for use in commercial food establishments comprises a casing having therein ice forming means including a plurality of vertically extending tubes. Water flows through each tube in contact with the interior wall thereof. Part of the water is frozen to form spaced pieces or chunks of ice within the tubes. Under certain condi tions, dissolved mineral solids may remain in the water and as the concentration of solids increases, the ice becomes opaque or cloudy. Also solids may be deposited on the interior wall of the tubes to a degree to hinder the ice from dropping from the tubes. When the deposits become hard, the cleaning thereof from within the tubes may become burdensome and time consuming. Too, the health regulations in many localities are strict, thus it is of considerable importance that the ice forming means be easily cleaned.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an ice maker wherein the disadvantages present in previous piece-type ice makers are obviated.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker in which the ice forming elements comprise a pair of vertically disposed plates having opposed ice forming surfaces upon which separate pieces of ice are formed, the separate pieces of ice being automatically melted from the ice forming elements and transferred to a storage chamber.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ice maker adapted to form clear and transparent chunks of ice on a vertically disposed ice forming plate.

; A further object of this invention is to provide an ice maker adapted to form uniform chunks of ice upon the scalloped surface of a stainless steel plate.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an ice maker adapted to form transparent, separate pieces of ice on vertically extending plates from streams of water flowing over opposed surfaces of said plates and including controi mechanism for rendering the machine wholly automatic in operation, whereby the ice forming and harvesting operations are conducted cyclically until a esired quantity of ice is formed and then the operation of the machine is discontinued, operation beginning again automatic-ally when a predetermined portion of the formed pieces is consumed.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an ice maker of simplified design and one that can be easily cleaned. Other objects of my invention will be readily perceived from the following description.

This invention relates to an ice maker which comprises a pair of ice forming plates having the ice forming surfams opposed; means for passing a stream of water in contact with the opposed outer surfaces of the ice forming plates; a refrigerating system including an evaporator in contact with the inner surfaces of the ice forming plates at spaced locations to form spaced pieces of ice from the water stream flowing over the outer surfaces of the plates; cyclical controi means for alternately forming and harvesting pieces of ice from the opposed outer surfaces .of the plates; means for storing .the discharged amines Fatented i 'eha 20, 1962 C li chunks of ice and means for directing pieces of ice falling from the plates to the storage means.

This invention further relates to an ice maker which comprises a vertically disposed mold plate, the plate having a generally scalloped configuration in transverse crosssection; a sump located beneath the mold plate; means for passing a stream of water from the sump uniformly over one surface of the mold plate; a refrigeration system including an evaporator, the evaporator being connected to the other side of the mold plate in heat exchange relation therewith and serving to form spaced pieces of ice from the water stream flowing over the one surface of the mold plate, and control means for alternatively forming and harvesting pieces of ice from the mold plate.

This invention in addition relates to a method of forming chunks of ice in which the steps consist in directing separate streams of water in contact with the opposed surfaces of a pair of adjacent ice forming elements, refrigerating portions of the ice forming elements to form chunks of ice and harvesting the chunks of ice formed on the opposed surfaces of the ice forming elements.

The attached drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view partly in elevation and partly in section of the novel ice making device incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the novel ice making device with the top cover sheet removed and some parts broken away;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view illustrating the relationship between'the water supply tank and a vertical ice forming plate;

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic view of the refrigeration circuit;

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view of the water distribution system;

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical control circuit;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of the water tank shown in FIGURE 1 with one ice form: ing plate omitted; and 7 FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a chunk of ice formed in the ice maker of the present invention.

- Referring to the drawings, there is disclosed in FIG- URE 1 an ice maker which includes a machine compartment 2 and an insulated ice storage compartment or bunker 3 placed below the machine compartment. Preferably, these compartments are formed of separate elements attached to one another when the ice maker is assembled at the place of use in order that the machine compartment may be utilized with bunkers of different capacity. It will be understood, of course, that the machine may be formed as a single unit if desired.

Machine compartment 2 is comprised of a frame including standards 4 and braces 5. Decorated removable metal sheets 6 are attached to the frame to form the walls of the machine compartment. Compartment 2 may be insulated to prevent condensation on the surfaces of sheets 6. Storage compartment 3 is provided with an opening 7 through which ice enters the storage compartment after formation in the machine compartment. Removable and/ or hinged lid 8 provides easy access and removal of ice from compartment 3 for use.

A partition divides the machine compartments into a first chamber 19 and a second chamber 11. The compressor motor unit 12, condenser 13, condenser fan 14 and part of the controls are located in the second chamber. As can be seen in FIGURE 2, the condenser fan 14 draws air through air inlet 15, over condenser 13, and then discharges it over the compressor motor unit 12 a s hth i ut ets a Located in the first chamber are the ice forming members 18 and 19. Each ice forming member comprises a plate, preferably of stainless steel, having a generally corrugated or scallop-shaped outer surface 20 upon which are defined depressions 21 having a relatively large radius when viewed from above and ridges 22 having a relatively small radius when viewed from above. As seen in FIG- URE 2, the ice forming surfaces 20 are opposed. The depressions and ridges extend uniformly from the top to the bottom of the ice forming members (FIGURE 3). As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the ice forming member may take other forms, for example, the ice forming member may be constructed of a fiat plate having ribs extending from the outer surface to define channels.

The evaporator of the refrigeration system is also located within the first chamber. Evaporator 23 is comprised of a plurality of horizontal tubes 24 connected at their ends by bends 25 to form a continuous circuit. The tubes are, preferably, flattened and corrugated as viewed from above and are disposed between the ice forming members 18 and 19. This is done to provide greater surface contact between the horizontal tubes of the evaporator and the contact locations on the ice forming members. The ice forming members may be offset as seen in FIGURE 2 to provide further surface contact. Spaced copper bends may be secured between the evaporator tubes and the ice forming members at the points of contact or if desired molten copper may be sprayed on the tubes to form the bends or the tubes may be plated with copper bends. It is preferred, however, that the ice forming plates be soldered directly to the horizontal tubes of the evaporator.

Below the ice forming members 18 and 19 is an inclined deflector or guide 26 onto which the pieces of ice fall from members 18 and 19 during the harvesting operation. The chunks of ice are then deflected through the opening 7 into the bunker 3. Deflector 26 may be a suitable screen or grid to permit water to pass therethrough while preventing passage of the pieces of ice. Water from the ice forming members passes through deflector 26 into a sump as hereinafter explained.

Referring to FIGURE 4, there is shown the refrigerating circuit of the present ice maker. Such circuit includes a compressor motor unit 12. Compressor motor unit 12, which may be, for example, of the hermetic type, is connected by discharge line 27 to condenser 13. The condenser is preferably air cooled although, if desired a water cooled condenser may be employed. Liquid line 28 connects the condenser and evaporator 23. The expansion means for regulating the supply of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator, preferably, comprises a thermal expansion valve 29 disposed in line 28. Other expansion means may be used if desired. Strainer and dryer 30 may be placed in line 28 between condenser 13 and thermal expansion valve 29.

A heated refrigerant vapor line 32 connects discharge line 27, at a point adjacent the condenser, with liquid line 28, at a point between the thermal expansion valve and the evaporator. A solenoid valve 33 is placed in line 32 and closes the same to the passage of heated refrigerant vapor. It will be appreciated that line 32 may periodically connect the evaporator with the compressor to permit heated refrigerant vapor to be supplied to the evaporator to melt formed pieces of ice from the outer surface of the ice forming members 18 and 19.

In FIGURE the water distribution system is shown schematically. Line 34 conducts water from a source of 1 from standpipe 37 is discharged into drain line 31 connected to the bottom of bunker 3 as seen in FIGURE 1. Pump 38 circulates water from sump 35 through lines 39 and 46 to water tank 41 mounted above the ice forming members 18 and 19.

Water from tank 41 is discharged uniformly over the outer surface of each of the members 18 and 19. The water flows over the members, through deflector 26 onto deflector plate 42 and then returns to sump 35. The water, of course, is cooled by its passage over the refrigerated outer surfaces 20 to substantially freezing temperatures. Thus, cooled or chilled water not formed into ice is continuously recirculated over the ice forming members 18'and '19 to reduce the time required for ice formation and to increase the capacity of the machine.

Water tank 41, shown in FIGURE 7, comprises a generally U-shaped housing 43 having end walls 44 at each end thereof. The V-shaped bottom 45 of the housing comprises two portions inclined toward one another. An opening 46 is formed in the bottom 45 to accommodate the upper portion of evaporator 23 and the tops of ice forming plates 18 and 19. Extending inwardly from each side of opening 46 are a plurality of baffles 47. The end of each baffle 47 conforms to the contour of the depressions on the outer surface of the adjacent ice forming member as is clearly shown in FIGURE 7. The periphery of each bafl'le is notched. The purpose of this is to assure uniform distribution of water from the top to the bottom of each depression on the outer surface of the ice forming member. It has been found that in the absence of such notches or indentations 48 on the surface of each baffle, the water may tend to converge as it flowed downwardly in each depression and, consequently, the chunks of ice formed would not be uniform. As an example, it has been found that with an ice forming plate having 13 depressions, each 1 5 wide, that four notches on each side of the peak of the baflle would result in the formation of uniform chunks of ice, each clear and free of entrapped air bubbles. Obviously, the baflies may be formed integrally with the bottom of water tank 41 rather than as separate members. 'Formed upon diagonally opposed ends of the water tank 41 are inlet fittings 49 and 50 to which are adapted to be connected the lines 39 and 40.

To control the refrigeration and harvesting cycles, I prefer to employ a timer apparatus (refer to FIGURE 6). The circuit for controlling the alternate refrigeration and harvesting cycles includes power supply lines L and 1 connected to a source of current (not shown). A manual switch 51 is closed to actuate pump motor 52, fan motor 53, compressor motor 54 and timer motor 55. Secured to the shaft of timer motor 55 is a cam 57 hav ing a lug 58 thereon. Periodically during rotation of the cam, switch 56 will be closed. The closing of switch 56 will energize solenoid 59 which is connected in the circuit in series with switch 56. The actuation of solenoid 59 will open valve 33 in vapor line 32 supplying heated refrigerant vapor to evaporator 23 to thaw formed chunks of ice from the outer surface of each ice forming plate.

Means are provided for discontinuing operation of the ice maker when a predetermined quantity of ice has been stored in bunker 3. A bunker thermostat responsive to the temperature within bunker 3 may be provided to open the circuit and discontinue operation of the system when a predetermined quantity of ice has been accumulated. Preferably, the discontinuing means are mechanically actuated and comprise switch 60 connected in series with switch 51 and actuating plate 62 pivotally secured to plate 42 at 63. Switch 60 is biased to the closed position by spring 61. Cam 64 is provided on plate 62 to facilitate actuation of switch 60. As the quantity of ice stored in bunker 3 increases, plate 62 will be engaged by the ice and pivoted clockwise about pivot 63 as seen in FIGURE 1. After a predetermined quantity of ice has been formed, plate 62 will be pivoted sufficiently to open switch 60,

discontinuing operation of the system. Upon removal of as viewed in FIGURE 1 to permit closing of switch 60.

A safety control may be placed in series with switches 51 and 60. Such control may comprise, for example, a high pressure cutout switch 65 which will open in response to excessive compressor head pressure to shut down the system.

Considering the operation of the device, bunker switch 60 and safety switch 65 are closed. When manual switch 51 is closed, the pump motor 52, fan motor 53, compressor motor 54 and timer motor 55 are energized. The compressor discharges high pressure gaseous refrigerant into the condenser 13. Fan 14 passes air over the condenser, condensing the refrigerant flowing therethrough. The liquid refrigerant flows through line 28 and through thermal expansion valve 29. The liquid refrigerant flowing from valve 29 is converted to the vaporous condition and removes heat from about the evaporator, thus, cooling the ice forming members 18 and 19, particularly, at the places of contact between the horizontal tubes of the evaporator and the ice forming plates 18 and 19.

At the same time, pump 38 supplies water from sump 35 to the water tank 41 for distribution over the outer surfaces of ice forming members 18 and 19. Water flows downwardly over the outer surfaces 20 of members 18 and 19 and is directed by plate 42 back to sump 35. The outer surfaces of the ice forming members are refrigerated at spaced locations by means or horizontal tubes 24 of evaporator 23, therefore, water flowing over the outer surfaces 20 is cooled and within a'short time separate chunks of ice begin to form on the refrigerated portions of the outer surfaces. After a predetermined interval of time the lug 58 on cam 57 engages and closes switch 56. The closure of switch 56 energizes solenoid59 to move valve 33 to open position, permitting heated refrigerant vapor to flow through line 3-2 into evaporator 23 to melt the formed pieces of ice from the outer surfaces of the ice forming members 18 and 19.

Ice drops from ice forming members 18 and 19 by gravity through opening 7 onto deflector 26 and then slides into bunker 3. After a predetermined time of sufficient duration to assure that all the ice is removed from the ice forming members 18 and 19, switch 56 is opened as the lug rotates therefrom deenergizing solenoid 59. Valve 33 is thus closed resuming refrigeration of the ice forming members. It is noted that the pump motor operates continuously. By virtue of the continuous circulation of Water over the ice forming members, the harvesting of the pieces of ice is facilitated and the formati-on of scale on the outer surface 20 is reduced.

The refrigerating and harvesting cycles repeat auto matically until a predetermined quantity of ice is formed when a predetermined quantity of ice is formed, bunker switch 69 is actuated by plate 62 to break the electrical circuit discontinuing operation of the machine. Upon removal of a predetermined quantity of ice from bunker 3 switch 69 is closed by spring 61 to close the circuit and begin operation of the machine.

The simplicity of the ice forming members permits their being cleaned easily. Cleaning of the conventional ice cube maker or ice chunk maker is generally diflicult for the ice is usually formed within a depressed mold of particular geometrical configuration. A cleaning agent may be added to the water to clean the interior of the mold but it has been found that it is often inadequate and a brush must be applied to the depressed surface to clean therefrom the scale deposits. This is often a difficult and time consuming chore.

In the present invention a solution such as, for example, vinegar and water may be discharged into the water tank. Since the water flows freely from top to bottom over the ice forming members most of the deposits of scale will be loosened and/or removed. If need be, the outer surface of the ice forming members may be brushed to remove those particles of deposits that have not been previously removed. As the surfaces 20 are readily accessible, cleaning thereof is easier and may be accomplished more expeditiously than heretofore.

The present invention provides a simplified, economical and automatically operable ice maker. The chunks 66 formed by the ice maker are of a desirable aesthetic configuration and are clear and transparent. The machine is designed to operate automatically and to require little maintenance for there are no moving parts involved in the ice forming means. The costs of operation and of maintenance of an ice maker are reduced. Further, the present invention permits water supplied to the ice forming members to be precooled thereby increasing the capacity of the machine. Use of this machine reduces the cost of ice to the consumer.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood my invention is not limited thereto as it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an ice maker, a pair of ice forming elements, each comprising a vertically disposed plate, scallop-shaped in transverse cross-section, the scallops on one plate being offset with respect to the scallops on the other plate, said ice forming elements having opposed ice forming surfaces; means for passing a stream of water in contact with the ice forming surfaces of the ice forming elements; a refrigeration system including an evaporator having a corrugated surface in contact at spaced positions with the other surfaces of said ice forming elements for forming chunks of ice from the water stream at spaced positions on the outer surfaces; and cyclical control means" for alternately freezing and harvesting the chunks of ice from the ice forming elements.

2. In an ice maker, a casing; a pair of vertically disposed ice forming members in said casing, each member having a generally scalloped opposed surface; a sump in the casing; means for continuously passing a stream of water from the sump substantially uniformly over each of the opposed surfaces, each stream of Water returning to the sump; a refrigeration system including an evaporator having flattened surfaces placed between and in heat exchange relationship with the inner surface of each ice forming member to form pieces of ice on the opposed surfaces; cyclical control means for alternately freezing and harvesting the pieces of ice; a storage chamber below the ice forming members; and means for directing pieces of ice falling from the ice forming members to the storage chamber.

3. An ice maker as set forth in claim 2 wherein the means for continuously passing a stream of water from the sump comprises a water tank above the ice forming members, a line connecting said tank and said sump, a pump in said line, said tank having an opening in the bottom thereof, said ice forming members extending into said opening, a bafile extending toward each ice forming member, theedge defined by the bafile conforming generally to the contour of the opposed surfaces of the ice forming members to uniformly distribute water from the top to the bottom of the opposed surfaces of the ice forming members.

4. In an ice making machine, a pair of stainless steel ice forming plates, each ice forming plate having a generally channeled first surface and a second surface, said first surfaces being opposed one to the other, said second surfaces facing one another, means for passing a stream of Water uniformly over each channel, and a refrigeration system including an evaporator having a plurality of flattened tubes connected at spaced locations to said second surfaces, said water passing means comprising a water tank adapted to be connected to a source of water, said tank having an opening in the bottom thereof, said plates extending into said tank through said opening, a baflle extending toward and abutting said plates, the edge defined by said bafile generally conforming to the contour of the first surfaces, the battle having a plurality of indentations in the edge thereof to divide the stream of water and provide uniform flow from the top to the bottom of each channel.

- 5. In an ice maker, a pair of generally parallel verti cally disposed ice forming plates, said plates having opposed ice forming surfaces, the opposed ice forming surface of each plate comprising alternate vertically extending ridges and depressions, a sump for water, means for passing a stream of water from the sump over the ice forming surface of each of said plates, and a refrigeration system including an evaporator comprising a coil having a plurality of flattened tubes connected at spaced locations to the inner surface of each of said plates for forming spaced pieces of ice from the water stream on the ice forming surfaces, said tubes having a generally corrugated configuration and the ridges of one ice forming plate being offset with respect to the ridges of the other ice forming plate to maximize the heat transfer surface between said tubes and said ice forming plates, and cyclical control means for alternately forming and harvesting the pieces of ice.

6. An ice maker as set forth in claim 5 wherein each depression is of considerably larger width than the adjacent ridges.

7. An ice maker as set forth in claim 5 wherein the means for passing a stream of Water comprises a tank adapted to be connected to a source of water, said tank having an opening in the bottom thereof extending generally the width of said plates, said plates extending into said opening, and a bathe extending toward each plate, the inner edge of each baffle generally conforming to the depressed and ridged contour of the outer surface and lying substantially in the plane of the respective outer surfaces.

8. An ice maker as set forth in claim 7 wherein each bathe has notches in the inner edge thereof to uniformly distribute water from the top to the bottom over each of said opposed surfaces.

9. In an ice maker, a casing, a stainless steel mold plate vertically disposed in said casing, said mold plate having a scalloped ice forming surface, said scallops cittending from the top to the bottom of the mold plate; a sump in the casing; means for passing a stream of water from the sump uniformly through each scallop of the mold plate, the water passing means comprising a tank mounted above the mold plate, said tank having an opening in the bottom thereof, said mold plate extending into said opening and a bathe in said tank engaging said plate in alignment with each scallop, said baffie having means todischarge water uniformly through each scallop of the mold plate from top to bottom; a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a discharge line connecting the compressor and condenser, an evaporator, a fluid line connecting the condenser and evaporator, 'expansion means disposed the fiiiid line and a suction line connecting the evaporator and the compressor, the evaporator being formed of a plurality of flattened and corrugated tubes connected re the other surface of said mold plate in heat exchange relation therewith and serving to form spaced pieces of ice from the water stream flowing through each scallop of the mold plate, and cyclical control means for alternately freezing and bar vesting pieces of ice from the mold plate.

10. An ice maker as set forth in claim 9 wherein a mold plate is secured on each side of said evaporator and said ice forming surfaces are opposed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,637,177

Bayston Aug. 23, 1960 

